Greek police hunt for `miracle' icon

ATHENS — Police set up roadblocks and launched helicopter searches for thieves who scaled a cliff and stole a 700-year-old religious icon from a monastery in southern Greece.

The Icon of the Virgin Mary, which believers credit with miracles, was reported missing Aug. 19 at the Orthodox Christian monastery of Elona, about 185 miles southwest of Athens.

"This is the worst thing that could happen to us, our church and our religion," said Metropolitan Bishop Alexandros of Mantineia and Kynouria.

Thousands of worshipers visit the icon each year, most around Aug. 15, an Orthodox Christian religious holiday in honor of the Virgin Mary.

Describing the icon, which measures 16 by 20 inches, as "priceless," Bishop Alexandros said he believed the thieves had used climbing equipment to reach the monastery, built into a cliff-face. He said they may have been hiding on the grounds of the building before it closed for the night.